Building a Purpose-Driven Career: Why Working at Booster Is More Than Just a Job

Finding your first “real job” after college can feel like standing at a crossroads with endless paths but no clear direction. When I graduated from Bridgewater State University in 2022 with a degree in Communications, I was excited to start my career, but I wasn’t sure what that career would look like. I knew I wanted to do purposeful work, not just a typical desk job, and I wanted to feel connected to something bigger.  

Like many recent grads, I spent hours scrolling through job boards, searching for that elusive “perfect fit.” When I applied to Booster, nothing changed overnight.  I went through a few rounds of interviews, each one giving me a better sense of the company’s culture, values, and the kind of people I’d get to work with. Still, I remember feeling unsure if my experience would make me a good fit. I didn’t have a background working with children, but I’d been a cheerleader my whole life and thrived in high-energy, fast-paced environments from my years in the restaurant industry. That period was one of the most stressful times of my life, but something about Booster’s mission to cultivate virtuous leaders who change the world resonated with me. I wanted to be cultivated, and I wanted to help cultivate others! I took a leap of faith, seeking a role that combined purpose, people, and professional growth, and Booster proved itself to be exactly that.

I started at Booster as a Program Leader in August 2022, stepping into a full-time role with good benefits and an annual salary. From the very beginning, I had the opportunity to travel to different communities, work alongside a dedicated team, inspire students, and help schools achieve incredible fundraising results, all while having fun. 

What I didn’t anticipate was how much I would grow professionally in such a short period of time. I went from feeling nervous speaking in front of a small group of peers to confidently leading large-scale school events with hundreds of students, parents, and faculty members in just a matter of weeks. Seeing the gratitude of the schools we served and knowing that our efforts directly supported their communities gave me a sense of purpose and fulfillment that I hadn’t experienced in any other role.

I wouldn’t have experienced nearly as much professional growth without the guidance and support of Booster’s leadership team. Booster’s mission is to cultivate virtuous leaders who change the world, and that’s not just a line on our website. It’s something our leaders live out every day. From the start of my Booster journey, I was encouraged to set personal and professional goals, and I had mentors who genuinely cared about helping me reach them. I was constantly seeking wisdom from my team members, and they provided thoughtful feedback with clear action steps that helped me improve with every program I led. The Program Leader role is far from easy; each school brought new challenges and opportunities to grow. There were moments of discomfort and plenty of mistakes along the way, but what kept me going was the unwavering support of my team and the reminder that I was part of something bigger than myself. I was driven by purpose to serve, to grow, and to make a lasting impact.

After serving as a Program Leader for two full years, I was thrilled to be selected for the Senior Program Leader role. This new position came with new challenges and greater responsibility. I was eager to keep growing and grateful that Booster encouraged me to explore different avenues of the business. I got a behind-the-scenes look at our sales process, learned valuable management techniques, and even had the chance to sit in on interviews for new team members. Through these experiences, I realized just how intentional Booster is about developing its people. When I shared these opportunities with friends and family, it became clear that the level of professional growth I was experiencing was truly rare for an entry-level role.

During my time as a Senior Program Leader, I found myself increasingly drawn to the recruiting side of Booster. I loved seeing how the right people could elevate a team, and even had the chance to recruit a friend of my own to join us. In October 2024, I came across an internal posting for a Digital Sourcing Specialist role, an HR position focused on finding the right applicants and getting candidates excited about what we do at Booster. The description immediately resonated with me, and I felt a strong calling to apply. Taking this leap meant stepping away from my local team, which wasn’t an easy decision. But when I shared my plans with my team managers, they offered nothing but genuine, unbiased support. Even though my transition meant a loss for them, they were truly excited to see me grow and pursue this new opportunity.

I got hired as Booster’s newest Digital Sourcing Specialist, and I’ve been loving it ever since! My passion for recruiting and sharing Booster’s impact shines through in every conversation I have with candidates. I especially enjoy connecting with those who ask about growth opportunities, because I get to share my own journey and cast the same vision that was once cast for me. I have a team leader who empowers me to explore new ideas, trusts my instincts, and encourages me to grow in my passions. Every step of my career at Booster has been fueled by purpose, growth, and genuine connection. I’m so excited for what’s ahead, continuing to grow professionally while helping new faces begin their own purpose-driven career at Booster!